David Morris Taylor III (born December 5, 1990) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 92 kilograms.[2] He is the current head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.[3]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | David Morris Taylor III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nickname | Magic Man[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Reno, Nevada, U.S. | December 5, 1990||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home town | St. Paris, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 86 kg (190 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
College team | Penn State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club | Cowboy Wrestling Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team | USA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coached by | Cael Sanderson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
|
Taylor was most notably the 2020 Summer Olympic gold medalist, a World champion in 2018, 2022 and 2023, and held one of the biggest rivalries in the sport's history against Hassan Yazdani, leading the series 5–1.[4]
One of the most accomplished Nittany Lions in the history of the Penn State program, Taylor was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion (four–time finalist), a four-time Big Ten Conference champion, and a two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner during his collegiate years.[5]
Folkstyle career
editHigh school
editBorn in Reno, Nevada, Taylor attended Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio. As a high schooler, Taylor became a four-time OHSAA state champion with an outstanding 180–2 record and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He received the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2009 as the nation's top high school wrestler.[6][7]
College
editDuring his time at Penn State (2009–2014), Taylor went on to become a two-time NCAA Division I national champion (four-time finalist), a four-time Big Ten Conference champion, and two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner.[5] After a perfect freshman year to that point, Taylor was pinned by Arizona State's Bubba Jenkins at the NCAA finals.[8] As a sophomore, he moved up from 157 pounds (71 kg) to 165 lb (75 kg), winning the NCAA title and being named the best college wrestler in the US as the Dan Hodge Trophy winner with a 70–1 overall record.
As a junior, he faced Kyle Dake from Cornell in the NCAA finals, who moved up to attempt to become the third four-time NCAA champion and the first to win titles at four different weight classes in the history of the NCAA. After a back-and-forth battle, Taylor was defeated 5–4.[9] As a senior, he once again had an undefeated campaign, claimed his second NCAA title, helped clinch the team title for the Nittany Lions, and became the third multiple-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner in history.[10] Taylor graduated with 134 wins and three losses, 50 pins, 42 technical falls, and 29 major decisions.[10]
Freestyle career
edit2010–2012
editTaylor made his freestyle debut in April 2010, when he claimed a University US National title.[11] In 2012, he competed at the US Olympic Team Trials, where he went 3–2.[12]
2013–2014
editIn 2013, Taylor claimed runner-up honors at the US Open in April, defeating Nick Marable to reach the finals and then being downed by the defending Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs.[13] After pinning '12 Junior World Champion Magomed Kurbanaliev from Russia at Beat the Streets,[14] Taylor became a two-time US University National and made the US University World Team on May.[15] At the '13 US World Team Trials Challenge of June, Taylor went 4–1 with a lone loss to four-time NCAA Division I National Kyle Dake to claim third-place.[16] At the 2013 Summer Universiade, he claimed a bronze medal for the United States.[17]
In 2014, last year's US Open results were repeated when Taylor fell to Jordan Burroughs, this rematch being much closer and forcing the now defending World Champion to come from behind to get the last minute comeback.[18] After dominating the eventual '16 Olympic bronze medalist and at-the-time two-time World bronze medalist and two-time European Champion Jabrayil Hasanov at Beat the Streets, Taylor made the US World Team Trials finals, but was defeated twice in a row by Burroughs.[19]
2015–2016
editNow able to focus on freestyle full-time after graduating from college, Taylor opened up the 2015 year with a fifth-place finish at the Yasar Dogu, where he went 3–2.[20] He then claimed his first US Open National title in May,[21] followed up by a technical fall over Cuba's Liván López at Beat the Streets.[22] In his fourth attempt to make the US World Team, Taylor was once again overpowered by Kyle Dake in the challenge tournament, but he came back and claimed the third place when he beat veteran Andrew Howe.[23] Taylor then claimed Grand Prix of Spain and Stepan Sargsyan Cup gold medals in July,[24][25] before making the decision to bulk up to the 86 kilogram division on September.[26] Taylor took fifth-place at the Golden Grand Prix of November, and seemed overpowered in his first tournament at a new weight class.[27] On December, Taylor competed at the US Senior Nationals, and after running through '14 US World Team member and teammate Ed Ruth,[28] Taylor was defeated by long-time rival Kyle Dake.[29]
In 2016, Taylor was unable to make the US Olympic Team, as he was defeated by Dake for the fifth time in the senior level, forcing Taylor to battle for the bronze medal, which he comfortably earned.[30] He then claimed his second Spain Grand Prix title on July,[31] and competed again at the World Clubs Cup of December, where he went 3-1 and helped TMWC reach the first-place, while also defeating the accomplished Alireza Karimi.[32]
2017
editIn his first competition of the year, Taylor dominated the Grand Prix of Paris in January,[33] and despite being initially banned by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran,[34] he competed at the World Cup in February in Iran.[35] At the World Cup, he defeated four top-level opponents: '12 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time European Champion Dato Marsagishvili in the first round (8-3), that year's World Championship bronze medalist Vladislav Valiev (TF 14–4), '12 Olympic Gold medalist Sharif Sharifov (TF 12–2), and '16 Olympic Gold medalist Hassan Yazdani (fall).[36]
Taylor claimed his second US national title in April, with an overall score of 40–4 against five opponents.[37] After a quick win at Beat the Streets,[38] Taylor made the World Team Trials finals when he ran through '16 US OTT Greco-Roman champion Joe Rau and '12 Junior World Championship runner-up Pat Downey, and defeated three-time NCAA Division I All-American Nick Heflin to make the best-of-three, where he faced returning Olympic Bronze medalist J'den Cox.[39] In the first match, Taylor rallied comfortably with a 9–3 win, but was closely defeated in the second match 4–3, leading to a controversial third bout due to Cox's sweat and alleged passivity, which caused Taylor to kick the challenge cube and his cornerman Cael Sanderson to throw items at the official and a chair onto the mat after losing 5–3.[40][41]
He came back to competition at the World Clubs Cup on December, where he helped the TMWC to second place with notable victories over Alireza Karimi and Pawan Kumar.[42]
2018
editTo start off the year, Taylor became only the 12th American to claim a gold medal at the Ivan Yarygin Golden Grand Prix, considered the toughest open tournament in the world.[43] He opened with a win over two-time (and defending) Pan American champion Yurieski Torreblanca, followed by Selim Yaşar on points and a fall over '17 Junior World Champion Artur Naifonov to make the finals. In the finals, he got another fall, this time over Fatih Erdin, to claim the gold medal.[44] On April, he claimed his second consecutive World Cup championship, recording four technical falls to help secure the gold medal for the United States.[45][46] He also clinched his third US National title, with four victories over fellow Americans.[47]
On May, he claimed his first Pan American title, with notable wins over Yurieski Torreblanca, Pool Ambrocio and Eduardo Gajardo.[48] On his seventh attempt to make the US World/Olympic Team, Taylor finally and dominantly was able to punch tickets to the World Championships, when he defeated '18 Bill Farrell Memorial medalist Nick Reenan twice via technical fall on May, at Final X: State College.[49] He then warmed up at the Yasar Dogu of July, with four dominant pins over foreigners.[50]
At the World Championships, Taylor had a tough start, as he faced his biggest threat of the tournament in the first round, '16 Olympic Gold medalist and defending World champion Hassan Yazdani from Iran. After being down two points to six at the end of the first period, Taylor was able to overcome adversity and put on nine points on his side, finishing the legendary match 11–6.[51] In the next round, he tech'd '18 Alexander Medved champion Hajy Rajabau from Belarus, to advance to the quarterfinals.[52] Next, he picked apart the accomplished Cuban Yurieski Torreblanca, to pick up an 8–0 victory.[53] In the semifinals, he had it harder, as he went to the distance against the '17 European Champion and Russia's best Dauren Kurugliev, but was able to score the comeback win 7–5.[54] During the match, Taylor got briefly knocked out after Kurugliev accidentally wheel kicked him on the chin when escaping a single leg attempt by Taylor.[55] In the finals, he dismantled Fatih Erdin from Turkey, overwhelming his opposition with 12 points to two, to claim the World Championship and help Team USA reach third place.[56][57]
After the year was over, Taylor was named the UWW International Freestyle wrestler of the Year,[58] and was awarded the John Smith Award winner as USA's Freestyle wrestler of the Year.[59]
2019–2020
editAfter time off competition, the returning World Champion came back in April 2019, when he claimed his second straight Pan American title, tournament in where he scored 34 points to none against his four opponents and Team USA claimed all ten medals in freestyle.[60] On May, he competed at the annual Beat the Streets for charity, against Drew Foster, where he suffered a severe knee injury which led him to forfeit out of the match, and ultimately, forced him to stay inactive during the whole year, missing the opportunity to make his second US World Team (forfeiting it to Pat Downey instead, whom he had tech'd twice), to represent the United States at the 2019 Pan American Games or to defend his title at the World Championships.[61][62][63]
After almost a full year of no competition, Taylor came back to wrestle in March 2020, at the Pan American Olympic Qualification Tournament.[64] He comfortably got three wins to win the bracket and internationally qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[65] Taylor was then scheduled to compete at the US Olympic Team Trials on April 4 at State College, Pennsylvania, where he was a heavy favorite.[66] However, the event was postponed for 2021 along with the Summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving all the qualifiers unable to compete.[67]
Taylor was unable to compete for a couple of months due to the pandemic, but was scheduled to wrestle Pat Downey (whom he was unable to wrestle at the '19 US World Trials) on July 25, at FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo.[68] After Downey pulled out of the bout due to problems with the organization, Taylor wrestled and tech'd the accomplished Myles Martin.[69] After more months of inactiveness, Taylor defeated two-time NCAA champion Gabe Dean by points on November 24, at the NLWC III.[70]
2021
editTo start the year, Taylor was scheduled to face his former rival and five-time World and Olympic champion (at 74 kg) Jordan Burroughs, at 86 kilos, on January 9, while headlining FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor.[71] However, it was announced on January 8 that Taylor was unable to travel to Austin, Texas due to COVID-19 restrictions and the bout was subsequently postponed for four days later and changed its location for Lincoln, Nebraska, thus moving to a different card also named FloWrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor.[72] After a 4–0 lead for Taylor in the first period, Burroughs rallied late to score four points of his own, but was unable to secure the victory as Taylor had criteria, defeating Burroughs for the first time in five matches.[73] Taylor was also scheduled to compete at the Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane on January 16,[74] but was not able to travel due to the postponement of his match against Burroughs.[75]
During April 2 to 3, Taylor competed at the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials as the heavy favorite and top–seed.[76] After cleaning out All–American Brett Pfarr in the quarterfinal round,[77] Taylor flawlessly knocked off reigning US National champion Gabe Dean in a rematch from their match at the NLWC III, advancing to the best–of–three finals.[78] In the finale, Taylor faced reigning U23 World Champion and Penn State legend Bo Nickal, whom he is close with as a friend and teammate at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. He defeated Nickal twice and did not allow him to score any points while scoring ten combined points of his own, becoming the US Olympic Team Member at 86 kilograms, and qualifying him to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[79] In regards to his close relationship with Nickal, Taylor then stated:
"It was a weird emotion," Taylor said. "We had a discussion leading up to it, and we have such a deep room in the wrestling club, especially at 86 kilos, so we're challenged every single day and none of us would be where we are without each other. Bo's amazing, and I wouldn't be where I am without Bo."[80]
As a result, Taylor also competed at the Pan American Continental Championships on May 30.[81] Taylor racked up 30 points against his three opponents while not getting scored on to claim the crown and help the USA reach all 10 freestyle medals.[82]
On August 4, Taylor competed in the first date of men's freestyle 86 kg of the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he looked dominant enough to score technical falls over all of his three opponents on his way to the finals; four-time World Championship medalist Ali Shabanau from Belarus, '20 European Championship runner-up Myles Amine from San Marino and defending World silver medalist Deepak Punia from India.[83] On the other side of the finale awaited rival and reigning Olympic and World Champion Hassan Yazdani from Iran, Taylor meeting him in a rubber match on August 5 after downing him twice earlier in his career.[84] Down 0–2 to a step-out and a passivity point in the second period, Taylor scored the first takedown to tie it up, though Yazdani scored another step-out to make it 2–3 on his favor, before being blasted by Taylor for two points late in the match, resulting in the stunning upset comeback win, shocking the world as the underdog going into the match. This result gained Taylor the 2020 Summer Olympic Games gold medal and extended his win-streak to 54 matches.[85]
As an Olympic medalist, Taylor earned the right to automatically represent the United States at the 2021 World Championships without having to compete domestically to make the US World Team, and did do so in October 2–3.[86] On the first date, Taylor once again ran through his competition, dominating the likes of World Championship runner-ups Boris Makojev and Abubakr Abakarov to cruise to the finale.[87] A fourth match with rival and reigning World Champion Hassan Yazdani took place in the finals, but this time the Iranian came up on top for the first time, nullifying Taylor and snapping his 57-match win streak, marking the series 3–1 in favor of Taylor and the latter leaving with a silver medal.[88]
2022
editIn June, Taylor stopped two-time NCAA champion Zahid Valencia twice to make the US World Team once again, at Final X NYC.[89] In September, after dominantly cruising to the finals, Taylor avenged his loss to Hassan Yazdani and claimed his second World championship.[90]
2023
editRepeating as Final X champion to become the US World Team member at the weight, Taylor defeated US National champion and teammate Aaron Brooks twice in a row in June.[91] At the World Championships, Taylor dominated once again, defeating everyone on his way either by fall or technical fall, including Hassan Yazdani, leading 5–1 in the series.[92]
2024
editCompeting at the US Olympic Trials in April, Taylor sat in the best-of-three finals as a 2023 World medalist, where he was upset twice in a row by now U23 World and four-time NCAA champion, as well as teammate, Aaron Brooks, losing the series and staying out of the 2024 Summer Olympics.[93] In May, after becoming the head coach at Oklahoma State, Taylor expressed at a press conference that he had retired from the sport as a competitor, at the age of 33.[3]
In September, Taylor, now the head coach of the Cowboys, announced he would come out of retirement to compete at the US World Team Trials up at 92 kilograms.[94] After notorious wins on the first day over NCAA champion Michael Macchiavello and All-Americans Trent Hidlay and Marcus Coleman, Taylor made the best-of-three finals, where he faced returning World medalist Zahid Valencia.[95] Then, after consecutive victories over Valencia, Taylor was back on the US World Team, and he is expected to compete at the World Championships in October.[96]
Coaching career
editOklahoma State University
editIn May, a month after a runner-up finish at the 2024 US Olympic Trials, it was announced that Taylor would become the head coach at Oklahoma State University, following John Smith's retirement.[97]
Freestyle record
editNCAA record
editHead coaching record
editYear | Team | Record | Conference | National |
---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Oklahoma State |
Dual Record | Conference Champions | All-Americans | National Champions |
---|---|---|---|
2-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rival | Record |
---|---|
Oklahoma | 0-0 |
Iowa | 0-0 |
Awards and honors
edit- 2021
- Olympic games
- Pan American Championships
- 2019
- Pan American Championships
- 2018
- UWW Best Wrestler of the Year
- John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year
- World Wrestling Championships
- World Cup Championships
- Pan American Championships
- Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix
- Yasar Dogu
- 2017
- World Cup Championships
- Grand Prix of Paris
- 2016
- Grand Prix of Spain
- 2015
- Stepan Sargsyan Tournament
- Grand Prix of Spain
- 2014
- Dan Hodge Trophy winner
- NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
- NCAA Division I
- Big Ten Conference
- 2013
- World University Games
- NCAA Division I
- Big Ten Conference
- 2012
- Dan Hodge Trophy winner
- NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
- NCAA Division I
- Big Ten Conference
- 2011
Endorsements
editIn 2015, Taylor and Adidas released a line of wrestling apparel labeled "M2" after Taylor's college nickname "Magic Man".[98] Taylor received the nickname after a collegiate match in which he turned an unfavorable situation for himself into an advantage.[99] The apparel line began with wrestling shoes and has since expanded to clothing, posters and Adidas sponsored events.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Chris Bumbaca (August 5, 2021). "American David Taylor, aka 'Magic Man,' wins gold in Tokyo Olympics 86kg freestyle wrestling". USA Today. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "David Taylor Biography". Team USA. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015.
- ^ a b "David Taylor retires from wrestling competition in taking Oklahoma State job". NBC Sports. May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Spey, Andrew (May 8, 2024). "Remembering David Taylor's Insane 2018-2023 Freestyle Run". FloWrestling. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "About DT | David Taylor". www.m2wrestling.com. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ "Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award State Winners Announced | National Wrestling Hall of Fame". Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ Hipps, Andrew. "Iowa State-bound Taylor not afraid of challenges". Intermat. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ Schoen, Timothy (March 19, 2012). "David Taylor avenges only loss in career". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (March 24, 2013). "Kyle Dake upends Penn State's David Taylor in NCAA wrestling final that won't soon be forgotten". pennlive. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ a b "David Taylor wins 2014 Dan Hodge Trophy". WIN Magazine. April 1, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ "ASICS University Nationals - Men's FS". Trackwrestling. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Rowlands drops down to 96 kilos to reach Olympic Trials final". WIN Magazine. April 21, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Star-Ledger, Joe Kania/ For The (April 19, 2014). "Wrestling: Jordan Burroughs set to meet David Taylor in U.S. Open finals". nj. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (May 16, 2013). "PSU wrestler David Taylor notches international victory in New York City event". pennlive. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Megaludis, Taylor and Ruth claim Asics University National Championships | Penn State University". news.psu.edu. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (June 24, 2013). "David Taylor a member of U.S. national freestyle wrestling team after 3rd-place finish". pennlive. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, July 6-17 2013". kazan2013.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Burroughs rallies to outlast Taylor in epic US Open finals battle". Team USA. April 20, 2014. Archived from the original on April 23, 2014.
- ^ "Burroughs delivers again to make U.S. World Team". InterMat. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Turkey Wrap: Yasar Dogu Results". Bloodround. March 30, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (May 9, 2015). "Former Penn State star David Taylor in U.S. Open wrestling finals; Ed Ruth falls to Jake Herbert in semifinals". pennlive. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "David Taylor named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week". Onward State. May 28, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Burroughs handles Dake as World Team Trials conclude". InterMat. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Humphrey leads small, talented U.S. team at Sargsyan Cup in Armenia, July 18–19". Team USA. Archived from the original on August 2, 2015.
- ^ "FLASH: Taylor wins gold and Michalak takes bronze at Sargsyan Cup in Armenia". Team USA. July 18, 2015. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015.
- ^ "Move to 189 pounds will let Taylor focus more on wrestling, not weight cutting". WIN Magazine. October 16, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Abdurakhmanov, Odikadze stun Olympic champs in Golden Grand Prix Final". InterMat. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Dake vs. Taylor will be in 86 kg freestyle finals, as nine finals pairings set at U.S. Nationals/Trials Qualifier". Team USA. December 19, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015.
- ^ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (December 21, 2015). "Weekend wrestling: David Taylor 2nd to Kyle Dake; Penn State picks up heavyweight recruit". pennlive. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (April 11, 2016). "Kyle Snyder, Jordan Burroughs win U.S. Olympic Trials wrestling titles; David Taylor places 3rd". pennlive. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Steen, Alex (July 9, 2016). "Green, Taylor Win Gold at 2016 Grand Prix of Spain". The Open Mat. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Titan Mercury Advances to the Finals". Bloodround. November 30, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Wrestling: Nico Megaludis and David Taylor win Gold at Paris Tournament". Roar Lions Roar. January 29, 2017. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Bethel, B. J. "Graham's Taylor on Iranian ban: 'I want what's best for the United States'". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Steen, Alex (February 14, 2017). "2017 Men's Freestyle World Cup Preview". The Open Mat. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "David Taylor recounts a magical Freestyle World Cup on Ep. 70 of Bonus Points". Team USA. March 1, 2017. Archived from the original on July 7, 2017.
- ^ "US Open 2017 Recap | Knowledge Center | David Taylor". www.m2wrestling.com. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Wrestling: Zain and Taylor Win at Beat the Streets". Roar Lions Roar. May 18, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ Steen, Alex (June 10, 2017). "Finals Set at 2017 Men's Freestyle World Team Trials". The Open Mat. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ "Penn State's Cael Sanderson ejected after throwing a chair onto mat (Video)". FanSided. June 12, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (June 11, 2017). "Penn State wrestler Zain Retherford earns berth on U.S. Senior Freestyle World team; Mark Hall wins Junior crown". pennlive. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ "Iran's Kashan Wins World Wrestling Clubs Cup - Sports news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ R, Coach Mike (January 23, 2014). "Siberia's Toughest Wrestling Tournament Tomorrow". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Snyder wins back-to-back titles and Taylor also gets his gold on last day of Yarygin Grand Prix in Russia". Team USA. January 28, 2018. Archived from the original on January 28, 2018.
- ^ "Penn State Wrestling Alum David Taylor Powers USA To Freestyle World Cup Title". Onward State. April 9, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "David Taylor Undefeated at World Cup, USA Gold | News & Updates | Nittany Lion Wrestling Club". www.nittanylionwrestlingclub.com. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Marine Corps Freestyle U.S. Open". The Guillotine. April 29, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ Orlando, Alexandra (May 8, 2018). "Team USA Dominates Pan American Wrestling Championship". Panam Sports. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "David Taylor Defeats Nick Reenan to Make World Championship Team". Roar Lions Roar. June 17, 2018. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ Hamilton, Andy. "Taylor pins his way through Yasar Dogu, Burroughs and Chamizo put on a show, Gilman grabs gold". Trackwrestling. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "The Wrestling Battles: David Taylor vs Hassan Yazdani, rivalry between two giants". Wrestling TV. April 28, 2020.
- ^ "David Taylor Shines on Day 1 at World Championships". Roar Lions Roar. October 20, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2020.[permanent dead link ]
- ^ Smith, Earl (October 20, 2018). "World Finalist David Taylor Leads Team USA on Day One at the World Championships". The Open Mat. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Taylor to go for gold, Colon to wrestle for bronze; Burroughs and Gwiazdowski back into repechage". Team USA. October 20, 2018. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020.
- ^ "How did Penn State great David Taylor do Saturday at the World Championships?". centredaily.com. October 20, 2018. Archived from the original on October 21, 2018.
- ^ Zaccardi, Nick (October 21, 2018). "David Taylor wins wrestling world title, at long last". OlympicTalk | NBC Sports. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Former Penn State wrestling great David Taylor wins 2018 World Championship". pennlive. October 22, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "David Taylor named UWW Best Freestyle wrestler of the Year for 2018". Team USA. January 1, 2019. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022.
- ^ "David Taylor named 2018 John Smith Award winner, as USA Wrestling's Freestyle wrestler of the Year". Team USA. March 28, 2019. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019.
- ^ "USA men's freestyle sweeps all 10 Pan American Gold medals in Buenos Aires". Team USA. April 21, 2019. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019.
- ^ NJ.com, James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for (May 25, 2019). "World champion David Taylor withdraws from Final X-Rutgers; NJRTC's Pat Downey gets Team USA spot". nj. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "USA Wrestling announces 2019 Pan American Games Team". Team USA. June 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019.
- ^ Collegian, Jake Aferiat | The Daily. "Reigning world champion, former Penn State wrestler David Taylor withdraws from Final X due to injury". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ Taylor. "Multiple World and Olympic Champions to Compete at Pan American Olympic Qualifier". United World Wrestling. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "'Magic Man' returns: David Taylor qualifies USA for Tokyo 2020 after nearly a year out". Olympic Channel. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Five things you did not know about USA wrestling star David Taylor". Olympic Channel. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "USA Wrestling announces that 2020 Olympic Trials are postponed". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Myles Martin to wrestle David Taylor in battle of champions". 247Sports. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Kyle Dake survives last-second scare to edge Frank Chamizo in wrestling thriller". Olympic Channel. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Taylor edges Dean at NLWC event on Rokfin". InterMat. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "World champs Burroughs, Taylor to meet Jan. 9 on FloWrestling". InterMat. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ "Jordan Burroughs-David Taylor Match Moved To January 13". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ Guenther, Dylan (January 13, 2021). "Burroughs Falls to Taylor 4-4 on Criteria". Corn Nation. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ Eric. "Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France Preliminary Entries". United World Wrestling. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ "Complete Henri Deglane Grand Prix Preview". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ Gallo, Ed (March 31, 2021). "USA Men's Freestyle Olympic Team Trials - 86 kg Preview". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Olympic Team Trials Quarterfinal Results and Semifinal Matchups". InterMat. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Olympic Team Trials Challenge Tournament Results and Finals Matchups". InterMat. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ "Lion vs. Lion: David Taylor tops Bo Nickal for U.S. Olympic Team spot". 247Sports. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
- ^ Collegian, Jake Aferiat | The Daily. "Why David Taylor's Olympic berth came at a cost: 'Only one person gets to go'". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- ^ "12 Olympic highlight U.S. Senior Pan American Championships roster". teamusa.org. May 17, 2021. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021.
- ^ Eric. "USA Claims Eight Gold Medals for Team Title on Last Day of #WrestleGuatemala". United World Wrestling. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "David Taylor Reaches Olympic Wrestling Final; Helen Maroulis Loses Semifinal". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ "David Taylor sets up grandstand wrestling final at Tokyo 2020". Tokyo 2020. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ Bumbaca, Chris. "American David Taylor, aka 'Magic Man,' wins gold in Tokyo Olympics 86kg freestyle wrestling". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ "Olympic champion David Taylor accepts bid to compete at the 2021 World Wrestling Championships". centredaily.com. August 12, 2021. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021.
- ^ "Taylor, Yazdani set up world title showdown at UWW World Championships". www.insidethegames.biz. October 2, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "Hassan Yazdani finally overcomes David Taylor". Tehran Times. October 3, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "Olympic Champs Jordan Burroughs, Helen Maroulis, David Taylor Are Among Victors At Final X New York". www.teamusa.com. June 9, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "David Taylor wins third title as Americans take first three golds of wrestling worlds". NBC Sports. September 17, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Olympic champ David Taylor tops Hagerstown's Aaron Brooks at Final X". Yahoo Sports. June 11, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "2023 World Wrestling Championships: Taylor Defeats Hassan Yazdani - Sports news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Aaron Brooks defeats wrestling gold medalist David Taylor, who loses his Olympic roster spot". AP News. April 21, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Former Penn State Wrestling Star David Taylor Returns to Competition". Penn State Nittany Lions On SI. September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "Burroughs, Taylor, Blaze among men's freestylers to advance to World Team Trials Championship Series". www.themat.com. September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "David Taylor Wins U.S. World Team Trials". Oklahoma State University Athletics. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
- ^ "David Taylor Named Oklahoma State Wrestling Coach". Oklahoma State University Athletics. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ Ford, Bob. "Penn State wrestler David Taylor has one goal to go: the Olympics". Philly. PhillyArticles. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ Goodwin, Cody. "Wrestling David Taylor". The Daily Iowan.